Couple lps offered up today by two fine pianists, both coincidentally noted as specialists in the music of Ferenc Liszt. Gyorgy Sandor plays an all Liszt program on a Columbia Special Products reissue (with judicious removel of the awful electronically stereo enhanced effect) and Jorge Bolet performs a recital program, featuring Liszt, on one of his first recordings, that being Boston Records B301. Appian has repackaged the Boston issues B300 and B301 but I thought it would be fun to have a go at it myself.
Gyorgy Sandor, piano
LISZT: Sonata in b; Funerailles; La Leggerezza; Liebestraum #3; Hungarian Rhapsody #15
Columbia Special Products P14138, reissue of ML4084
Jorge Bolet, piano
1 SAINT-SAËNS: Etude en form de valse Op 52 No 6
2 MOSZKOWSKI: En Automne Op 36 No 4
3 MENDELSSOHN: Hunting Song (Song Without Words Op 19 No 3)
4 MENDELSSOHN: Rondo Capriccioso Op 14
5 LISZT: Funérailles (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses No 7)
6 BEETHOVEN : Andante Favori in F WoO 57
Boston Records LP B300 Recorded 1952
There is some fine playing here. Sandor, I think, was quite underrated and unappreciated while Bolet is remembered for his later records, which in places are quite mannered. Here, both play with an unfettered style which is clean, direct and quite appealing. The older I get, I really appreciate the Liszt gems for they are introspective in places, possessing a somberness at times which is both world weary but telling.
The Beethoven Andante Favori will melt your heart, it is absolutely brilliant!
DOWNLOAD COLUMBIA SPECIAL PRODUCTS P14138
DOWNLOAD BOSTON RECORDS B301
